MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I asked this before and got confused-sorry.
I want the version that I can reformat the disc as many times as I want and not get Pirate popup warnings from Microsoft. With my age I will stop being supported before Windows 7 is.
Same for an old Office disk. The newer versions are beyond my ability.
As long as you have the FACTORY OEM installation/recovery disc from the PC manufacturer, you should NEVER get "pirate" popup warnings no matter how many times you reinstall the OS.
The manufacturer setup uses a special "key" installed into the MB BIOS which allows only the OEM recovery disc to skip "activation" requirements.
This is only valid as long as you have the same manufacturer PC and recovery disc (IE Dell PC requires a Dell branded OEM recovery disc).
This goes for the recovery disc which you make for that PC using the recovery utility.
Now if you are talking about using a Retail box install disc or a non brand special OEM install disc that you have bought separate from the hardware that is a whole different can o worms you got there.
With those you will only get 8 maybe 10 reinstalls/activations on the same hardware with in the same month and you will get kicked out of the system and require using the phone to plead your case with MS..
Additionally if you bought a Win7 retail or OEM from a less than legit source you may be SOL all together.. Lots of shady characters out there and they don't care if you get stuck with a dead license..
As far as "office" goes, you would have to go back to Office 2000 to not have to deal with "activation". The downside is Office 2000 does not support the "docx" files unless you download the "docx" pack from MS..
Personally, skip the MS Office and go with Open Office (free!), you can find at openoffice.org (make sure you only grab it from there, there are many lookalike imposters which add additional "adware" to your PC).
Or you can get "Libre Office" which also is a FREE office download.